How serious is the malware threat?

Nine out of 10 PCs connected to the Internet are infected with spyware.*

88% of Spy Audit scans found some form of unwanted program (Trojan, system monitor, cookie or adware) on consumer computers.*

"About 10 million Americans have their personal information pilfered and misused in some way or another every year, costing consumers $5 billion and businesses $48 billion annually." – Federal Trade Commission, June 21, 2005

Some form of spyware can be found on 87% of corporate PCs.*

"A hacker was able to access potentially 40 million credit card numbers by infiltrating the network of a company that processed payment data for MasterCard International and other companies." – InfoWorld, July 17, 2005

86% U.S. adult Internet users believe that spyware on their computers has caused them to suffer a monetary loss.**

How can I remove malware?

First, you should use a scan program designed for malware detection to see if you're infected. Once you know your infection level, you'll be able to take back control of your computer.

Second, you can try to remove the malware manually, but removal is a difficult and complicated process for even the most experienced computer user. Without recognized, top-quality anti-malware software, malware removal will be incomplete at best.

Third, choose a malware protection solution. A complete anti-malware software package includes anti-spyware software and anti-virus protection and should be fortified with a firewall. Look for these qualities when selecting an anti-malware software solution:

Provides frequent version and definition updates to combat the latest threats.

Consistently wins awards from industry-leading publications.

Has a dedicated, round-the-clock research team devoted to keeping track of malware evolution.

Why can't free applications protect me from malware?

Technically, free applications lack the capabilities to remove malicious, complex malware. They also are not backed by the resources available to track and eradicate the latest malware threats. Malware is growing relentlessly more sophisticated. Free applications just can't keep up.

What is adware?

Adware is any software application that has the ability to display advertisements on your computer. Some adware can track your surfing habits to display targeted promotions on your Web browser in the form of pop-up, pop-under and banner ads.

How does adware work?

Adware watches as you surf the Internet to collect information about your behavior. Then adware disrupts your browsing by popping up context-related promotions right on top of your screen, causing you to second guess your next online move. Adware runs quietly in the background of your computer, observing your every move. It logs your online activities and personal information to create a user profile and sends it to a data collection site. From there, your data is used to evaluate your surfing habits and send you targeted advertising.

What are the symptoms of an adware infection?

How does adware find me?

In general, adware is attached to an intentionally installed program. Freeware is one of the most common ways adware is installed on a machine. Installers of freeware unwittingly sign up for an infinite supply of pop-up ads. Examples of freeware that may deliver adware are:

A better, more advanced search engine

Unusual mouse pointers

Instant news or weather updates

Computer games

Applications boasting to improve efficiency of your computer

File sharing resources for digital photos or music

Emoticons, little smileys or other facial expressions used in email

Peer-to-peer groups are notorious for attaching adware to their file sharing programs. Sharing your information with interested companies is an easy way for developers to make money. You pay by receiving a relentless bombardment of pop-up ads.

How do I remove adware?

First, you should use a spy scan program designed for spyware detection to see if you're infected. Once you know your infection level, you'll be able to take back control of your computer.

Second, you can try to remove the spyware manually, but removal is a difficult and complicated process for even the most experienced computer user. Without recognized, top-quality anti-spyware software, spyware removal will be incomplete at best.

Third, choose a spyware protection solution. A complete anti-spyware software package includes anti-spyware software, anti-virus protection and a firewall. Look for these qualities when selecting an anti-spyware software solution:

Provides frequent version and definition updates to combat the latest threats.

Consistently wins awards from industry-leading publications.

Has a dedicated, round-the-clock research team devoted to tracking spyware evolution.

SYMPTOMS OF COMPROMISED COMPUTER SECURITY

What is credit card fraud?

When credit card fraud occurs, a merchant (business, service provider, seller, etc.) is tricked into releasing merchandise or rendering services, believing that a credit card account will provide payment for goods or services. The merchant later learns they will not be paid, or that the payment they received will be reclaimed by the card's issuing bank. A fraudulent or stolen credit card is charged for a purchase. Today, half of all credit card fraud is conducted online using spyware.

How can I prevent credit card fraud?

Proactively preventing the harm spyware can do to you and your computer is vastly less expensive than paying to restore your credit, your identity and your computer. Here are a few things you can do right away to prevent credit card fraud:

Use varied and complex passwords for all your accounts.

Continually check the accuracy of personal documents and deal with any discrepancies right away.

Only provide personal information on sites that have "https" in the web address or have a lock icon at bottom of the browser.

Do not provide personal information to any unsolicited requests for information

What is a hijacked homepage?

Browser hijacker spyware resets your homepage so each time you launch your browser you land on the site it wants you to. Fraudsters use this method to force hits to their websites, since most sites have ads. More hits means higher costs for advertising, and ultimately more money for the spyware-toting villain. Browser hijackers are more than just annoying: The spyware they carry can cause irreparable damage to your files and programs as well as jeopardize your personal information and identity.

What is identity theft?

Identity theft is the criminal abuse of consumers' personal identifiers. The main concern for consumers is financial crimes exploiting their credit worthiness to commit loan fraud, mortgage fraud, lines-of-credit fraud, credit card fraud, commodities and services frauds. Many people associate identity theft with having a wallet or purse stolen. But your your computer is fast becoming the most likely place where your identity can be stolen.

What are PC crashes?

Computer crashes happen when a program (either an application or part of the operating system) stops performing its expected function and stops responding to other parts of the system. Often the offending program may simply appear to freeze. If your computer shuts down frequently, detect spyware. Malicious threats may be at work, tracking your activities and stealing personal information.

What are pop-ups?

Pop-ups are a form of online advertising intended to increase Web traffic or capture email addresses. These online ads come in many forms, but generally they want to sell you something. While many pop-up ads from reputable companies are harmless, the adware programs that generate illegitimate pop-ups are capable of installing spyware to hijack your browser and capture your personal information.

Why is my PC slow?

Sluggish performance of vital computer programs, like your operating system or Internet browser, is usually caused by spyware infection that consumes a substantial amount of computer memory, leaving limited resources for other legitimate programs to use.

THREATS TO COMPUTER SECURITY

What is spam?

Spam is unsolicited commercial email. It's sent, usually in bulk, through "open-relays" to millions of people. Spam is cost-shifted advertising. It takes a toll on Internet users' time, their resources, and the resources of Internet Service Providers (ISP). Most recently, spammers have begun to send advertisements via text message to cell phones.

What is a computer virus?

Think of a biological virus – the kind that makes you sick. It’s persistently nasty, keeps you from functioning normally and often requires something powerful to get rid of it. A computer virus delivered over the Internet is very similar. Designed to relentlessly replicate, viruses infect your computer programs and files, alter the way your computer operates or stop it from working altogether.

What is phishing?

Phishing is an online con game played by tech-savvy con artists and identify thieves. They use spam, malicious Web sites, email and instant messages to trick you into divulging sensitive information, like bank account passwords and credit card numbers.

How are hackers and predators a threat to computer security?

People, not computers, create computer threats. Predators victimize others for their own gain. Give a predator access to the Internet – and likely to your PC -- and the threat they pose to your security increases exponentially. Hackers are programmers who break into computer systems in order to steal, change or destroy information. Their clever tactics and detailed technical knowledge help them access information you really don’t want them to have.

How do hackers and predators find me?

Anyone who uses a computer connected to the Internet is susceptible to the threats hackers and predators pose. Hackers typically use phishing scams, spam email or instant messages and bogus Web sites to deliver spyware to your computer and compromise your computer security. Predators monitor your chat room conversations or peruse your personal Web page. Usually disguised with a bogus identity, predators can lure you into revealing sensitive personal and financial information, or much worse.

ENSURING COMPUTER SECURITY DURING ONLINE ACTIVITIES

How can I safely browse the Internet?

Internet safety can be deceiving. Seemingly reputable sites may contain spyware traps, or the sites themselves may be counterfeit -- phishing sites posing as the real thing to lure you into their scams and debacles. The path away from Internet safety often begins innocently enough; however, certain sites are more prone to be a source of spyware, including:

Adult sites

File sharing sites

Community sites

Take these steps to fortify your Internet safety and computer security right away:

Avoid questionable Web sites.

Avoid free software and file-sharing applications.

Use antivirus protection and a firewall.

Update your operating system regularly.

Increase your browser security settings.

Type in a trusted URL for a company's site into the address bar of your browser to bypass links in an email or instant message.

How can I practice safe file sharing?

There’s really no two-ways about it: safe file sharing is next to impossible. There are reputable sites that offer spy-free freeware but it’s difficult to investigate every free program to distinguish between the good and bad. Take these steps to fortify your computer security right away:

Avoid questionable Web sites.

Only download software from sites you trust.

Pay careful attention to what you’re downloading and know what other programs you’ve agreed to along with the original file.

The next time you’re redirected to a site that tempts you to install a search toolbar, screen saver, smiley faces or cute cursors, think twice.

Beware of peer-to-peer file sharing services or avoid them all together.

P2P network clients often load spyware onto your PC when you sign up for their service.

The files you swap and share (photos, music, videos or games) may contain malicious programs.